Ottawa Trans Library

Ottawa Public Library, Rideau Branch.

Before the internet, a good trans library was a valuable thing. In an era when information and stories about our lives were rare, it was a pleasure to have access to a collection of books and serials lovingly and passionately collected by a trans person. Alas, most of these collections were either dispersed or are now collecting dust in someone’s basement. I miss having a good trans library and so I decided to build another one.

The aim of this project is to assemble a large collection of historical, important and not-so-important works on trans issues and people. I am interested in acquiring even transphobic titles. (Know thine enemy.)

I started the library by adding my small collection of good trans books and will be acquiring significant texts from this time forward. If you still have a collection of trans books or periodicals gathering dust in your basement that you would consider deaccessioning (that’s a respectful term for “getting rid of”), please get in touch with me. I’ll list the complete collection on this website. It’s not a proper library catalogue, but if you are looking for a particular title, the search function will let you know if we have it. It’s also fun to browse sometimes.

I have been adding basic category descriptions to each book (fiction, non-fiction etc.) and have decided to add another one: transphobic. Currently there is only one book that fits this category (Horsexe), but since I will be adding others I do not feel I should be dignifying these titles by describing them as non-fiction. It’s our library and we’ll do what we want.

Please get in touch with me if you want to borrow a title. Like the Ottawa Public Library, the loan period will be three weeks. Renewals accepted if someone has not requested the book. Please note, however, that I’m the librarian with the tight bun who will most certainly hound you to return the book. I don’t understand how anyone can grow to adulthood and not know that libraries lend books – they don’t give them away! Also, if there is a demand one day, I’ll open my house for a day in the month (or the week?) for casual browsing or study.

Here are the catalogues for the ambitiously named Ottawa Trans Library. This does not represent all the books in the library, only those added to the catalogue thus far. Titles will be added regularly.

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Ottawa Trans History

The original purpose of this web site was to have a place in which the history of trans people in Ottawa could be told. While I compiled much of the file, I am also very grateful for the contributions many trans people have made to the initial research. They have not only added significantly to the original material, but also ensured its accuracy.

Nonetheless, I am certain this history is incomplete. I still hope that as people become aware of it, they will want to contribute new material that records events of which I was unaware.

Our history is important. It’s a powerful antidote to the attempted erasure of trans lives and it celebrates our achievements.

OTTAWA TRANS LIBRARY

Before the internet, a good trans library was a valuable thing. I still believe in books and so am assembling a collection of historical, important and not-so-important works on trans issues and people.

Alice in Genderland; Changing Sex: Transsexualism, Technology, and the Idea of Gender; Crossdressing with Dignity; The Gendered Self; Miss Vera’s Finishing School for Boys Who Want to be Girls; My Husband Betty; My Husband Wears My Clothes; The Riddle of Gender; She’s Not the Man I Married; She’s Not There: a Life in Two Genders; Transgender Explained: For Those Who Are Not; Unzipping Gender: Sex, Cross-dressing and Culture.

Audio-Visual

The Adventures of Captain Cross Dresser; The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Beautiful Daughters; The Dress Code; Ma Vie en Rose (My Life in Pink); Kinky Boots; Normal; Talk Ottawa: Life as a Transgender;TransAmerica.